SINGAPORE - Demonstrating the pulling power of star wattage, four categories of tickets to the 2010 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix were sold out last month soon after organisers announced a star-studded entertainment line-up featuring Mariah Carey

HONG KONG - The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has established a regional office in Hong Kong, naming Andrew Lee its executive director for the trade.

SINGAPORE - ITB Asia has attracted more than 25 speakers to address Association Day, a specialist forum on October 20 and 21 dedicated to the association meeting sector in Asia.

PHUKET - Laguna Phuket had unveiled a new waterfront function area - Latitude - launching the purpose-built venue at a business exchange session for 100 MICE buyers and sellers during Connections Plus 2010, organised by the Thailand Convention & Exhibitio

First it was an exhibitor at the CeBIT event who was criticised for using women in nurses uniforms on their stand, and more recently it was Microsoft at its TechEd conference on the Gold Coast that was lambasted for using Meter Maids in a promotion.

Terrace Downs Resort in Canterbury has appointed a new general manger and revealed a new bold plan to increase its international profile.

Andrew Milne has joined the team at Suncourt Hotel & Conference Centre as general manager and has replaced Simon Cox after more than three years at the helm. Mr Cox has remained in Taupo at Baycrest.

The Good Group has become a finalist in five categories of The Remarkables Southern Lakes Hospitality Awards for its Queenstown and Wanaka operations.

Tourism Auckland CEO Graeme Osborne said theres no doubt that the city has the capacity for convention and incentive groups during next years rugby tournament.

Tourism Bay of Plenty will be playing host to the 2011 Inbound Tour Operators Council Conference, winning over bids from Taupo and the Wairarapa.

QUEENSLAND - Chinese visitation to the Gold Coast increased by 15 per cent in 2009, with 106,000 Chinese tourists spending more than A$60 million in the destination.

MUMBAI - The Taj Mahal Palace has re-opened its Palace wing following an extensive restoration project after terrorists stormed its premises two years ago.

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the first NTO to come onboard as a partner in Microsoft's data-sharing platform, Project Nimbus - Asia's first cloud-based information marketplace.

MACAU - The House of Dancing Water, a production costing more than HK$2 billion in a purpose-built venue at the City of Dreams, is set to open its doors to the public on September 17, 2010. Story by Pauline Tan.

OSAKA, HONG KONG - Starwood's top tier St Regis and Marriott International's iconic Ritz-Carlton brands will open in the tallest buildings in Osaka and Hong Kong respectively in coming months.

SINGAPORE - The singapore 2010 Youth Olympics is clocking high scores - some 5000 athletes and officials and nearly 200 media representatives from 204 countries are in attendance and an additional 27,000 spectators and 5000 performers, including children

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Business Event Sydney's Platform program recently gave those considering putting up their hand to run or bid for a major meeting the opportunity to learn from past successes.

The Perth Convention Bureau has exceeded its targets for securing meetings for the city, delivering more than $93 million worth of business in the 2009-10 financial year.

Briar Nash has joined the Hilton Auckland and Lake Taupo sales team as sales manager for the inbound and wholesale market.

Guests of Australian Luxury tour operator Scenic Tours have rated The Langham Auckland as number one.

Grand Pacific Tours passengers have voted the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands as the best accommodation on the popular 19 day tour for the fourth time.

Vbase recently launched a new loyalty programme targeted at rewarding devoted professional conference organisers and event managers who regularly use the groups venues.

On the back of popular figures from Junes accommodation results Queenstown is celebrating some more after recognition for its annual Winter Festival.

Figures released by the NZ Commercial Accommodation Monitor yesterday showed total guest nights were up almost 15 percent compared to this time last year.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) last week launched a new campaign in Singapore aimed at rebuilding confidence in the MICE sector which has failed to recover from political unrest in early 2010.

The Sarawak Convention Bureau this week announced it had won the right to host the 15th International Peat Congress in 2016, paving the way for more major conference wins in the next 12 months.

BT Publishing Pty Ltd, publishers of micenet ASIA, micenet AUSTRALIA and micenet NEW ZEALAND, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pauline Tan as editor of the revamped micenet ASIA magazine.

Political unrest in Thailand has seen the emergence of tour operators acting like vultures who are seeking excessive hotel rate cuts in the troubled country. And the net effect is damaging to the entire MICE sector, according to some experts.

Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre will be offering a range of promotions later this year to coincide with the reopening of CentralWorld, described as Southeast Asias largest lifestyle and leisure complex.

Shangri-Las 200-room China World Summit Wings situated in Beijings tallest building is set to open next week. The property is reportedly heavily focused on the MICE market.

Star City management today announced a new event centre development that its managing director Sid Vaikunta says will change the landscape of conferencing and events for Sydney.

An exhibition for the Perth events sector has been announced with the first one being held on May 6 and 7 in 2011.

Shadow Minister for Tourism, the Arts, Youth and Sport, Steven Ciobo, has committed $28 million in new money for initiatives to reinvigorate business events tourism in Australia.

Adelaide... an inspiring and innovative destination that brings people together to share in the exceptional! This is the clear promise made by 'Team Adelaide' to a record number of Australian and international buyers who experienced the largest expo and a

The Auckland Convention Bureau is keen to host you for a personalised famil of Auckland to help plan your next event.

Renier Eulink has been appointed general manger of the Holiday Inn City Centre Christchurch.

Travel and Leisure magazine readers voted Huka Lodge as top lodge or resort in Australia New Zealand and the South Pacific in the annual Worlds Best Awards Readers Survey.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts Helen Bambry has moved to Sydney in a new role with the company as sales manager for conferences and incentives Australia.

Air New Zealand GM for Australasia, Bruce Parton thinks allowing airlines to invest in Queenstown Airport will ensure the infrastructure can cater for growing traveller numbers.

The FIFA World Cup created significant benefits for South Africa and the tourism market with the investment in the event leading the way for major programs and infrastructure to support and grow local communities.

Australian company Laservision lit up Marina Bay Sands for its opening event, helping to give the new integrated resort a spectacular look.

A global study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel could result in big savings for those with a clearly defined meetings and events strategy.

ITB Asia 2010 is ramping up its MICE offering, this year holding an inaugural Association Day for association executives.

Destination Marketing Services headed up by Leila Fiedler this month celebrated its 18th year in operation.

The co-located Australian Business Events Expo and RSVP 2010 kick off in Sydney next Thursday, July 22. As well as highlighting plenty of new product, both shows will be running separate talks presented by experts in their fields.

Sydney has won more business events in the financial year of 2009/2010 than ever before, says Business Events Sydney. The bureau has secured 69 events in comparison to a previous record of 47 in 2002/3.

Heritage Hanmer Springs has received an upgraded Qualmark rating to four star plus as well as securing an Enviro Silver accreditation for sustainability practices.

Quentin Briard has been appointed GM for Club Med Australia and New Zealand, replacing Heidi Kunkel who was promoted to GM of Japan and Korea earlier this year.

This year will mark a decade of the Wellington Conference and Events Expo and the show is growing from strength to strength with a host of buyers and exhibitors locked in.

Rotorua will host a significant Australian conference of 350 delegates in August next year thanks to the Events & Venues team following up on a lead gleaned at a conference in August 2009.

At a Tourism Futures conference last week in Brisbane, a survey was released showing a third of the Australian industry is keen to co-operatively market with New Zealand.

Winners have been announced in the BT Publishing e-awards for excellence in events in what was a closely contested battle for first place. The e-awards, now in their third year, are judged independently of BT Publishing and are entirely not for profit.

Just days after signing a landmark agreement which now sees Event Planners Australia part of the international MCI Group, Event Planners chairman Ray Shaw underwent treatment in St Vincents Hospital in Sydney for a cardiac-related issue.

Thousands of event professionals will meet at RSVP Sydney 2010, the premier tradeshow for the events industry, when its doors open in only three weeks, with brand new features, exciting seminar talks and a social media presence.

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre has been chosen to host the 2010 International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit which kicks off in November.

QT Event Management is working with Theme Queenstown to offer event planners a revolutionary theming product.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau manager Leonie Ashford was appointed New Zealand Convention Bureaux chairperson last week. And she is already looking forward to working as a collective to attract more convention and incentive opportunities.

Air New Zealand was sporting a new stand, new premium economy seats and new staff uniforms at this years MEETINGS.

CINZ CEO Alan Trotter revealed at MEETINGS the good news on the development of a national convention centre that he says will take New Zealand as a destination to the next level.

With record numbers of exhibitors and hosted buyers from around the world, the scene was set for another spectacular MEETINGS.

The Adelaide Convention Centre's international standing just got a whole lot bigger after receiving the 2010 Green Supplier Gold Award in Europe.

Some may have said it was a big gamble when Off-Site Connections Event Management set up in China a few years back. But it seems as if the decision is starting to pay dividends with the company currently riding the wave that is the Shanghai World Expo.

Auckland Airport earlier this month was recognised by EarthCheck for its sustainable business practices.

Famous Kiwi Chef Al Brown from acclaimed Logan Brown restaurant in Wellington will be gracing the stag at the Millbrook and Brown show at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

Shotover Canyon Swing managed to raise more than $4000 for the Central Otago chidren with heart conditions with a two week annual fundraiser.

In just 11 sleeps Meetings NZ will be opening its doors for another two day showcase of New Zealands best products and services.

The new state-of-the-art property was officially opened in Christchurch earlier this month by Associate Minister of Tourism, Dr Jonathan Coleman.

Air New Zealand has announced its plans to increase domestic jet capacity from September by more than four per cent, taking main services to more than 750 per week.

Melbourne-based Solution RED has emerged from voluntary administration to the next phase by entering into a Deed of Company Agreement.

With $300,000 in its kitty regional Victoria is set to embark on a campaign to promote conferencing beyond Melbourne's borders.

Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has embarked on a half million dollar campaign after receiving $265,000 from the Federal Government's tourism stimulus package.

Event Planners Australia has merged with international event management company MCI, which has 43 offices in 21 countries, employing more than 900 staff.

After a $25 million redevelopment, the Rydges Harbourview Auckland has been upgraded from four-star to four-and-a-half star.

Christchurch is now the newest member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network and will represent New Zealand internationally.

Auckland became the hostest-with-the-mostest last week when seven Australian conference and incentive organisers experienced a four-day Taste of Auckland famil.

Air New Zealand has been named Best Airline at this years 2010 Which Awards. Organised by the UKs top consumer magazine, the awards are independently voted by its readers.

Christchurch has been chosen to host the fourth US NZ Partnership Forum in 2011, which is likely to be attended by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

Speaking to miceNZ DIGITAL last week, Tourism Auckland CEO Mr Osborne said if and when a mooted 5000-seat national convention centre did materialise it would mean far more for New Zealand than possibly imagined.

A $20 million four-year Brand Australia program was launched by Minister for Trade Simon Crean at the Sydney Opera House last Friday (May 14) with significant input from the business event sector.

Staging Connections WA GM, Scott Lovett, is returning to the NT to take up the position of director of business tourism with the Northern Territory Convention Bureau.

Theme production house I.D Events has launched in Melbourne, with the company reporting it offers the most detailed, individual and highly developed production pieces and packages available to the events industry.

Qantas has launched new technology enabling domestic mobile check-in.

Winners were announced in MEA's Meetings & Events Industry Awards in Melbourne on April 20 at a glittering ceremony in the Melbourne Convention Centre.

On April 22 Solution RED voluntarily appointed an administrator to manage the financial commitments of the business. Solution RED said this is a proactive measure in order to improve the financial strength of the organisation.

Not since the Bali bombings in 2002 has there been an Australian convention or incentive group in the once idyllic destination... until now.

Former South Sydney Rabbitos chairman Robert Holmes a Court is heading a new body aimed at growing Sydney's brand on the world stage.

Chair of Tourism Sunshine Coast, John Atkin, has dismissed rumours that there has been a decision to close the Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau.

Elizabeth Rich found there was plenty of talk in Barcelona about future-proofing the events business.

Fast-growing economies and a rapidly expanding middle class has seen growth in trade and professional associations and a concomitant rise in business events in Asia. Elizabeth Rich talks to two industry bodies and their plans for the future.

The Tasmania Convention Bureau has appointed Stuart Nettlefold as new CEO.

The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre has been recognised as Queensland's best venue for meetings and business tourism.

Record results of the Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau have seen the organisation awarded in the Meetings and Business Tourism category at the Melbourne Airport 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Following its success in the ACT Division Australian Institute of Project Management Achievement Award, the Canberra Days in the Diocese and World Youth Day project, verve creative recently won the national AIPM Award.

Time to Embrace the Unvirtual

It's all systems go at Sydney Olympic Park with hotels in the precinct recording strong growth.

Organisers of some of Sydney's most recent international conferences shared their tips for success at a special seminar recently, with a good online strategy imperative for success.

A post Olympic slump, exacerbated by the GFC, has seen Beijing presenting what may be a one-off opportunity for event organisers looking to cut a good deal in the capital of the world's future number one economic power.

Expertise Events recently announced plans to launch The Motor Show in 2010, running over five days in February at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre after signing a 10-year agreement with the Motor Traders Association of Queensland.

The World of Accor expo held in Sydney on August 13 and attended by more than 1000 throughout the day culminated in the announcement of the winner of the Peugeot 207, won by Corporate Traveller NSW GM, Philip Wilson.

The Sydney Chapter of the International Special Events Society launched a new marketing campaign: The Gold Standard at its sold out networking event held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in mid-August.